Beware of immigration scams

Many people offer help with immigration services but not all are authorized to do so. Unfortunately scams offering to help you get your U.S. visa, green card and citizenship are wide-spread. Community members have recently brought one particular scam to our attention. The website www.usa-green-card.com claims that they will enter registrants into the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery and manage their Green Card Application. At some point in the process, the company asks the registrant for $200 processing fee. They take the money and never submit your application for the lottery. This is a scam - please avoid it!

The only website where you can legitimately apply for the Diversity Visa Lottery is the U.S. Department of State Diversity Lottery Website.

What are some common immigration scams?

• When a business in your community "guarantees" they can get you benefits like a Visa, Green Card or Employment Authorization Document. Be wary of anyone who says they can guarantee one of these documents or promise you they will get the document for you fast. 
• When .com or .net websites offer step-by-step guidance when completing an application form. Sometimes they will ask you to pay for these application forms. All forms, form instructions and information on filing fees and processing times are available on USCIS website for free. All U.S. government websites have .gov and not .com addresses.
• Emails or websites that say you have won the DV lottery, Visa lottery or Green Card lottery. The only way to apply for the DV lottery is through the official U.S. government application process. You can submit an application for the lottery or track your application through the  U.S. Department of State Diversity Lottery Website.
• Anyone that tells you they are from the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS). This is an old, outdated agency. It no longer exists. All correspondence about your immigration application comes from the USCIS.

How can you avoid immigration scams?

• Get all the forms you need plus instructions from the USCIS website.
• Use an attorney licensed by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) - list of low-cost and pro-bono attorneys or call 1-800-375-5283.
• If you are not using an attorney licensed by the BIA, make sure the person helping you is accredited to provide legal advice: click here to check if the person is on the list of BIA-accredited representatives. 

To report immigration scams, notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov/complaint or call 1-877-382-4357. Alternatively, contact UAO at: services@uniteafricans.org / phone (312-949-9980) and we can help file a complaint on your behalf.

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